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Motivating High Levels Of Effort Towards Organizational Goals

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Motivation, “the willingness of an individual to exert high levels of effort towards organizational goals”, (class, session 4) can be separated into two subsets: intrinsic and extrinsic. Where intrinsic motivation gives individuals “a sense of accomplishment and/or [a feeling] the task is worthwhile,” (class, session 4) extrinsic motivation offers tangible rewards such as praise or bonuses. As companies define rewards in an effort to keep employees motivated they often use the expectancy model as guidance. The model suggests that individuals determine their actions based on motivation for an established outcome, and success of the model relies on close links among its three main components: effort, performance and outcomes (class, session …show more content…

With a goal set and as defined in the expectancy theory’s effort to performance phase, salespeople determined their individual efforts to reach the provided sales per hour percentage goal. Nordstrom also believed in providing the best customer service. As a key performance standard, employees were compelled to hand deliver items to customer’s homes and write thank you notes to important clients. Typically, the extra effort resulted in satisfied customers and by achieving these tasks, employees had a direct impact on the company 's overall reputation of a premier customer service-oriented retailer.
Similarly, the expectancy model establishes expectations within the “performance to outcome” stage, by rewarding or providing desired outcomes to employees when they achieve the requested performance level. (class, session 4) As employees met or exceeded Nordstrom’s SPH standards, they reaped many rewards. Better sellers received preferential hours and, top performers received membership to the company’s Pace Setter’s Club, group recognition, and documentation in personnel files. Nordstrom also promoted from within which placed further emphasis on performing well for employees

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